Re: Social Anxiety

> > > Klonopin> > > > > > I have read paxil, serzone and effexor are helpful. Is this true?> > Klonopin is not an AD, it's a Benzo. I'd love to try it since it apparently works very well for some social phobics, but my pdoc insists on prescribing other Benzo's that have equal drawbacks to Klonopin (drowsiness, potential addiction) but without the proven track record for helping SP.> > Results for all drugs, including AD's, vary widely by person, and sometimes results can vary for one person over time. SSRI's like Paxil have been very helpful for SP in some people. The old MAOI anti-depressants, especially Nadil, are considered the "gold standard" for SP, and work wonders for many people if they can deal with the food restrictions required to avoid hypetensive-crisis reactions. (Per my pdoc and many MAOI users, the published food warnings tend to be greatly exaggerated...yet they cause many pdocs to relegate MAOI's to second-line, third-line, or won't-even-consider status). Nardil was having an amazingly beneficial effect for my social anxiety from weeks 2 to 4, but then suddenly pooped out (NOT a typical reaction, apparently). Moreover, just about every *potential* side efect of Nardil started hitting me big-time at the higher doses EXCEPT for the side effect most people complain about -- weight gain (a common side effect for Paxil, as well).

I had great results from Nardil for over a year, but then it pooped out. I left it for a while, then came back to it. It worked again for a few months, then pooped out again. When it was working, I gained twenty pounds immediately. Also, I had the worst insomnia. I had to take a sleep medication every night before bed. But it was great when it worked, despite the side effects. The maker of Paxil is really touting it as a great SA med, but I got nauseous from it, so I cannot say. Nothing else worked for me, and I tried many.